Low GPA because of 1 Semester - Do retaking classes look bad?

[Cereal33]

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Hey,
I'm currently a Health Science, Pre-Pharmacy, Major in my second year.
My first semester in college, of course was easy. Typical biology course, writing courses, etc. My GPA was above 3.6. I entered my second year and took classes (I go to a Liberal Arts College) for law, biology again, math course, etc. I got a C in my law class! (That class was a snooze fest). Who knew a C would bring my 3.6 to a 3.1. (Not me as a Freshmen).

I just finished my first semester of my second year, and boy did I mess up. I took Chemistry, my last biology class, and Anatomy as well as another class. I failed my anatomy class and was so stressed out I didn't do so hot in anything. That semester I got a 1.6 and now my Cum is a 2.64.
Right now I'm doing great in Chem 2 (A's on my tests so far) and the rest of my courses are fluff class, so I should get somewhere around a 3.6-3.7. I don't think this is going to raise my GPA much, maybe to a 2.7-2.8?
I'm going to take physics, and Orgo 1 in the fall, but my advisor said that if I don't get at least an A or a B in orgo, I should rethink my track. So, I've been stressed lately - Should I be thinking of going to a different track? I was thinking of Physical Therapy, but I think I'll run into the same problem! Too low of a GPA score!! My advisor also told me that retaking classes doesn't look good for graduate school (I don't get it because, why wouldn't it look good? I'm taking the time to redo a class I struggled in - who wants to stress 2x?)

I am in my school's event planning program board, I play rugby, I'm on the finance committee, I work 2 jobs at the school, I'm a certified bus driver through the school.

1. Am I out of luck if I don't get an A/B in orgo 1 + 2?

2. What other options do I have?

3. Does it look bad to retake classes?

4. Pharmacy is something I really want to do!! I feel like I'm drowning in water. Help!

 

[alexyoonable]

1. No. A lot of the newer schools have a pretty low GPA range for admission. But make sure to ask yourself that if you struggle with basic undergrad science classes, can you handle pharmacy school?
2. Ace your Pcat if you wanna get into decent schools (>80)
3. No. As long as there's not a trend of retaking classes, most schools won't even pay attention to it. If you have to retake a lot of classes, at least show some really good improvements.
4. Take swimming lessons 😀

 

[Amicable Angora]

Hey,
I'm currently a Health Science, Pre-Pharmacy, Major in my second year.
My first semester in college, of course was easy. Typical biology course, writing courses, etc. My GPA was above 3.6. I entered my second year and took classes (I go to a Liberal Arts College) for law, biology again, math course, etc. I got a C in my law class! (That class was a snooze fest). Who knew a C would bring my 3.6 to a 3.1. (Not me as a Freshmen).

I just finished my first semester of my second year, and boy did I mess up. I took Chemistry, my last biology class, and Anatomy as well as another class. I failed my anatomy class and was so stressed out I didn't do so hot in anything. That semester I got a 1.6 and now my Cum is a 2.64.
Right now I'm doing great in Chem 2 (A's on my tests so far) and the rest of my courses are fluff class, so I should get somewhere around a 3.6-3.7. I don't think this is going to raise my GPA much, maybe to a 2.7-2.8?
I'm going to take physics, and Orgo 1 in the fall, but my advisor said that if I don't get at least an A or a B in orgo, I should rethink my track. So, I've been stressed lately - Should I be thinking of going to a different track? I was thinking of Physical Therapy, but I think I'll run into the same problem! Too low of a GPA score!! My advisor also told me that retaking classes doesn't look good for graduate school (I don't get it because, why wouldn't it look good? I'm taking the time to redo a class I struggled in - who wants to stress 2x?)

I am in my school's event planning program board, I play rugby, I'm on the finance committee, I work 2 jobs at the school, I'm a certified bus driver through the school.

1. Am I out of luck if I don't get an A/B in orgo 1 + 2?

2. What other options do I have?

3. Does it look bad to retake classes?

4. Pharmacy is something I really want to do!! I feel like I'm drowning in water. Help!

Listen to your advisor. If you can't succeed this second time around it's time to look for a different career path.

It's fine to retake classes in moderation but keep in mind you can't really keep retaking classes at pharmacy school, at least, not at a reputable one...

 

[pyan9]

I know it's been a month but I just wanted to give you my experience in case you are still contemplating your questions.

I had a really bad year my sophomore year and plus or minus a few semesters after with withdrawals to repeat courses.

I don't think repeating courses are bad but it's a given that you should at least get a B but preferably an A. This is what happened to me, got 3 Cs in prerequisite courses and an X amount of Bs along with withdrawing courses and also failing calc the first time I took it. I haven't retaken my Cs but I did get a lot of Ws. (this was all at a junior college)

What ended up happening was I dug deep and developed habits that were beneficial and maintained a 3.5+ gpa my last two years of college (at a 4-year). These grade trends probably speak for them self and also give u something to write about in your personal statements/secondary's.

As long as you are able to graduate with a solid gpa I think you will be fine. I'm not sure how schools weigh repeat courses, whether or not they're averaged or if they completely replace them.

I would have liked to major in sociology or anthropology but I had to solidify my science gpa so I stuck with my initial biology major.

Got invited to 5/6 schools I applied to for interviews, got accepted into 1, declined another, have another interview, and am waiting for the other 2 for responses. If this is something you want to do, work your way around it, communicate with others, and repeat if it'll help you.

Best of luck to you.

Actually had to edit because I reread your post. I think you should try to hit at least the 3.0 mark if you can by retaking courses, especially if they are pre requisites. Not sure how cum gpa, science gpa, n pre req gpa are weighed. I know in California that Ucsf has accepted someone with a 2.64 gpa even though the cutoff is 2.75. I think the person petitioned to have his application looked at again and he ended up doing a masters program and maintaining a 3.7-4.0 gpa. I'm sure newer pharmacy schools are more open to lower gpa so those are your options as well. From what a retail pharmacist told me he said it doesn't matter what school you go to as long as it's cheap if you want to do retail. On the other hand, new schools have accreditation they need to go through but more than likely they should pass but there is a chance they may not.

Just try to apply with the best application you have though, even if it takes another year or so.

 

[Pestle&Mortar]

Take it easy. Ace your Orgo and PCAT and all you will have to do is explain the low scores (if they ask during the interview). I started off my first year with a 2.0 kicked major gluteus maximus on my second year got up to a 3.3 and got accepted.